Connect with us

Caribbean News

Cancer cases up for Turks and Caicos, 47 new patients reports Hospitals

Published

on

#PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos – November 13, 2017 – Diagnosed Cancer cases for the Turks and Caicos have increased by 18%, with 47 new cases recorded in the past year according to information from the Turks and Caicos Hospitals released today.

The statistics, which the facility says is sourced from its cancer registry, reveal that the country has gone from having 259 cancer patients in 2016 on the register, to now having 306 on file.  Tragically, 102 of these registrants have already died, either due to cancer or other ailments.

The report  shares that leading the cancers being treated by the #TCIHospitalsOncologyDepartment is breast cancer with 64 patients; second is prostate cancer with 51 patients.

The TCI Hospitals explain:  “Of the 306 total cancer cases recorded, 204 of these persons are currently receiving treatment, support and/or follow-up cancer management at TCI Hospital Oncology Department. These current cases consist of 64 persons who have or had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, 51 persons diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and the remaining 89 persons represent a combination of thirty-three (33) different cancers.”

Thirty-three different cancers in Turks and Caicos, a country of a mere 36,000 residents, is very concerning; so much so that the TCI Hospitals says it is currently in talks with the Ministry of Health and Human Services on developing a #NationalCancerRegistry.

The current registry exposes that senior residents are the leading age group living with Cancer.  “The age bracket with the highest number of cancer diagnoses recorded at the hospital is 60-69 year olds, followed by 50-59 year olds. Of these persons who fall within the 60-69 year old age bracket, 30% are Prostate Cancer and 25% are Breast Cancer. Of the 50-59 year old group, 51% of the total number are Breast Cancer diagnoses.”

Breast Cancer is not only a vexing issue within the Turks and Caicos, but nearby Bahamas during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (in October) said it is finding that younger, black, Bahamian women are turning up with the disease more regularly.

In the Turks and Caicos, the youngest patient is 31 years old.  Seven new Breast Cancer cases were recorded for 2017 and 40 to 49 is the age bracket with the highest instance of breast cancer for this jurisdiction.

These statistics come just days ahead of the annual ‘In the Pink’ event here in Providenciales, where funds are raised for breast cancer awareness and patients.

The Hospitals registry was started in 2014 and the information gathered, is on a monthly basis, shared with the Ministry of Health as a part of its contractual obligation to the Turks and Caicos Island Government and People.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

Bahamas News

SOILCARE PHASE II ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS HELD AS BAHAMAS JOINS A COALITION OF COUNTRIES COMMITTED TO RESTORING LANDSCAPES AND SECURING A RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL FUTURE

Published

on

ST. GEORGE’S GRENADA – The Bahamas is joining a coalition of Caribbean Small Island Developing States, that committed to restoring landscapes and securing a resilient agricultural future, by tackling land degradation and drought. The Bahamas is one of six new countries scheduled to benefit from the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) multi-country soil management initiative for Integrated Landscape Restoration and climate-resilient food systems (SOILCARE), Phase II, implemented by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM).

SOILCARE Phase I has been helping adopt policies, measures and best practices and support review of legal and institutional frameworks to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality LDN and Climate Resilience.

As PISLM prepares to launch Phase II of its flagship regional project, adding six new countries, two consultation sessions were completed on 3rd and 4th June by PISLM’s Sustainable Land Management Specialist Dr. Ronen Francis.

Project updates were present to the Permanent Secretary responsible for UNCCD IN the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. David Davis, Director of Agriculture – Dr Jason Sands and Danielle Hanek- Director of Forestry Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bahamas.

This project will seek to assist the country in upgrading its National Soil Laboratories through provision of modern equipment, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training of technicians. It will also help the Bahamas, to develop Digital Soil Maps, develop their national drought risk plans, including improved drought management, Cat Island. It will also support a youth agri-business programme that will foster youth-led innovation and align with the CARICOM 25×25 vision.

This project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Allocated funding is$17.9 million USD and $26.5 million USD in co-financing, by regional Governments, including the Bahamas.

Photo Caption:

Photo 1 Permanent Secretary responsible for UNCCD in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. David Davis, Director of Agriculture – Dr Jason Sands Daniell, Ms. Danielle Hanek- Director of Forestry Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bahamas and Dr. Ronen Francis-PISLM.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Bahamas Signs Major Agreements at Brazil–Caribbean Summit to Boost Food Security, Climate Resilience, and Regional Development

Published

on

Brasília, Brazil – Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis has announced the signing of a landmark cooperation agreement with Brazil and the country’s entry into the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, following his participation in the Brazil–Caribbean Summit held in Brasília on June 14. The summit brought together leaders from CARICOM, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and key regional bodies to address pressing development challenges and renew economic and diplomatic ties with South America’s largest economy.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday, Prime Minister Davis highlighted the significance of these developments for the Bahamian people: “We signed a key agreement with Brazil to work together on food security, education, disaster management, and climate resilience. The Bahamas also joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty — unlocking new resources to fight poverty and tackle inequality.”

The Brazil–Caribbean Summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marks a revitalization of Brazil’s engagement with the Caribbean after years of declining trade and limited collaboration. Trade between Brazil and the Caribbean region has dropped from $6 billion in 2010 to $4 billion in 2024, with most economic activity concentrated in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. This summit aimed to reverse that trend by fostering stronger cooperation on sustainable development goals, energy transitions, and disaster preparedness.

A key communique issued at the close of the summit underscored the joint commitment of participating nations to clean and inclusive energy transitions. “We recognize the urgent need to promote clean, sustainable, fair, affordable and inclusive energy transitions…with a view to contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century,” the statement read. The leaders also called for increased financing mechanisms and international support to ensure developing nations can pursue these goals effectively.

The Bahamas’ inclusion in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty represents a significant step forward in its efforts to build resilience and reduce socio-economic disparities. The Alliance, launched under Brazil’s G20 presidency and officially adopted by G20 nations in July 2024, is focused on achieving the first two Sustainable Development Goals — the eradication of poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) — while also addressing inequalities (SDG 10). Since its inception, the Alliance has expanded successful national programs and fostered international cooperation through high-level summits and a champions council to guide its implementation.

Brazil has seen notable benefits from spearheading the initiative, including increased global recognition and strong support from leaders such as World Bank President Ajay Banga. The country has also used the platform to scale up its own social programs and promote the human right to nutritious food and dignified living conditions.

For The Bahamas, Davis emphasized that these partnerships will bring practical advantages: “For us, partnerships like these mean greater access to expertise and innovation — lowering costs for families, strengthening our resilience, and driving national development.”

The summit also addressed wider regional concerns, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti. Leaders expressed “deep concern” over the multidimensional challenges facing the Haitian people and affirmed their commitment to supporting the country’s path to stability.                                                                                                                                                                        The participation of CARICOM leaders such as Guyanese President Irfaan Ali further underscored the importance of regional collaboration in meeting shared challenges. Discussions included scaling up investment for energy transition and disaster management infrastructure, areas of increasing urgency for climate-vulnerable Caribbean nations.

With its new commitments, The Bahamas joins a growing coalition of nations aligning development efforts with global best practices and collaborative frameworks. As climate risks intensify and inequality persists, these initiatives mark a shift toward proactive, cooperative strategies designed to safeguard the well-being of future generations.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Training Programme Boosts Armed Policing 

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, June 20, 2025 – The International Policing Assistance Service (IPAS) is currently delivering a comprehensive eight-week ‘Train-the-Trainer’ programme to police officers from Caribbean British Overseas Territories, marking a significant step in enhancing armed policing capacity across the region.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) has deployed two officers from its Tactical Unit to undertake the training.

The first phase of the programme, which concluded on 20 June, focused on Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) tactics.

ARVs are deployed in situations involving suspected firearms or threats to life, and the training aims to equip officers with advanced tactical skills in high-risk vehicle encounters.

Participants are learning de-escalation techniques, safe suspect extraction methods, and detention procedures that prioritize officer safety and operational control.

This training is delivered by the UK Home Office’s Firearms Subject Matter Experts, supported by National Firearms Instructors from Police Scotland and Greater Manchester Police. Their expertise ensures the training aligns with the highest UK policing standards while being tailored to the unique operational environments of the Overseas Territories.

Developed in collaboration with Police Commissioners across the British Overseas Territories, this initiative is part of a broader effort to standardize firearms training and operational capabilities across the region.

Officers from Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands are participating in this programme, with the goal of returning to their home forces as certified trainers.

Superintendent Jason James, head of the RT&CIPF Strategic Operations, stated, “The provision of Armed Response Vehicles is an essential element of public safety across the Overseas Territories.

“By undertaking this training through a sustainable train-the-trainer model (funded by the UK Government), it will assist in our aim to build safer, more resilient communities across the TCI. This initiative strengthens not only individual officer capability but also regional collaboration, creating a unified and cohesive armed policing framework, whilst ensuring that tactics and procedures are adapted to the local environment.”

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING